NBA Matchups: March 19

It’s another wacky slate, and I’ll be in the projection streets all day for the madness. One of these days I’ll go more in depth, but today’s not the day with just so much tanking involved in so many games. As always, I’ll be on for the content to add more player-specific stuff.

DAL @ IND | HOU @ ORL | DET @ MIA | NOP @ MIN | PHI @ OKC | NYK @ SAS | WAS @ UTA | DEN @ LAL | CHI @ PHX | MEM @ POR | CLE @ SAC

Dallas Mavericks at Indiana Pacers

Team Totals: Mavs 111.8, Pacers 122.3

Injury Report: Kai Jones (Q, quad), Jaden Hardy (Q, ankle), Brandon Williams (Q, Mavericks are dumb), Kessler Edwards (two games left, Mavericks are dumb), Caleb Martin (O, hip),  Tyrese Haliburton (Q, back), Pascal Siakam (Q, personal), Jarace Walker (Q, ankle)

Mavs projected starters: Jaden Hardy, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, Kai Jones (Note: Not expecting Brandon Williams or Kessler Edwards to play)

Pacers projected starters: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner

Kidd quotes: Said Naji Marshall can do some playmaking and he’s playing at a high level, said Washington looked great in his return and “hopefully he comes out clean [without injury].”

Carlisle quotes: Said it was a great example of guys capitalizing on an opportunity, said Obi Toppin had one of the hottest stretches he’s ever seen, said they were not running plays in overtime and they were just trying to find Obi because he was so hot, said Tony Bradley really stepped up for them behind Thomas Bryant, said he just expected Siakam to miss one game, said his guys missing Monday was just day-to-day stuff.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Mavs are starting to get guys back, but it’s important to note that Kessler Edwards has two games left and Brandon Williams has just five. Jaden Hardy returning could definitely take Williams out of the mix, and that’s probably why they tagged him for a hammy issue today. Whatever Dallas is going to run out there, it’s going to be a team that cannot protect the paint, as they’ve allowed 56.8 rim points over their last six (Bulls lead the NBA at 45.0 per game on the season). This month, they’re allowing 114.5 points per 100 in just the halfcourt, which is basically average for teams on total defensive rating. The Pacers are seventh in rim offense this season, so it should be an easy path to a lot of points for the Pacers regardless of who’s available for them. For Indiana on defense, they’re still getting a huge amount of rim volume on them, so maybe the Mavs can generate enough on offense.

Great matchups: Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton  

Good matchups: Pascal Siakam, Jaden Hardy, P.J. Washington, Kai Jones, Naji Marshall

Bad matchups: Nobody

Houston Rockets at Orlando Magic